ST. GEORGE – Three Washington County Special Olympians competed in June at the Special Olympics National Games 2014 in Princeton, New Jersey, and brought home several gold, silver and bronze medals in running, cycling and bowling.

For Special Olympian Jazmine Slama, running is a way to “feel free” and do something she loves, she said.

“I love to be out there just enjoying the view,” she said. “When I race, I get into the zone.”

Being able to take this enjoyable activity and compete at a national level was a dream come true, she said.

Slama earned gold medals for the 1,500-meter and 800-meter races as well as a silver medal in the 400-meter race in the track and field event.

Another Washington County competitor, Jarod Swenson, received a bronze medal in singles bowling and also placed fifth for doubles bowling.

Charlie “Chuck” Flowers, who is on the same team as Slama, received a silver medal while competing in the cycling 10K race and a bronze medal in the cycling 5K race.

The athletes flew out of Utah in a private jet to attend the games, where they not only competed but made new friends, Slama said.

“I made a lot of new friends out there, and it was fun just talking with all of them and hanging out,” she said.

Slama’s father, Tim Slama, said he enjoyed watching his daughter compete at the national games.

“It was just astonishing,” he said. “She had back-to-back races on the hottest day we were there.”

Slama’s coach, Judi Jolley, said she is proud of her athletes and has enjoyed watching Slama grow as a runner.

“She is outstanding,” she said. “She is so determined and so dedicated.”

Not only a Special Olympian, Slama also has competed in several half marathons, as well as last year’s St. George Marathon.

Tim Slama said his daughter was the first resource student at Hurricane High School to try out for the cross country and track teams, which she competed on all four years of her high school career.

“She just kept working on it, and that is how she got her start running,” he said.

Jolley said it is obvious Slama puts in the work to be a good runner outside of training for Special Olympics.

“Running is her thing,” she said. “She does a lot of running on her own.”

Jolley said Chuck Flowers is just as dedicated of an athlete.

“Cycling is his mode of transportation, so he does that a lot and is very hard working,” she said. “Watching him on a bike, it just blows you away.”

Tim Slama said he enjoys his daughter being involved in Special Olympics.

“Special Olympics teachers kids how to be humble but still be proud of their achievements,” he said. “It’s OK to come in second as long as you give 100 percent.”